The ‘cream of the crop’ the Family Selection wines represent the very best fruit, hand selected from the three Zema vineyard locations for intensity of flavour and varietal definition.
Bigger and bolder than the Estate range, the Family Selection has richness and complexity, structure and depth of fruit, with a cellaring potential of at least a decade.
Small batches of premium fruit are fermented in open top vats for 10 days. Hand plunging and gentle basket pressing decreases maceration of the skins, avoiding harsh tannins. Primary and Malolactic fermentation finishes in a blend of new and used French oak Hogsheads. Post ferment, the wine is allowed a further 24 months maturation time before a careful selection of individual barrels is made to create the final blend.
Colour: Dark inky purple with reddish hue.
Aroma: Dark fruit aromas of blackberry and mulberry stand out in what is a distinctly varietal nose.
Palate: Rich, round and full, black fruits are accentuated by well integrated French oak. Complex yet balanced the developing tannins providing a soft finish.
95 Points, James Halliday, Gold - 95 points Limestone Coast Wine Show 2023
"Curls of flavour-soaked tannin. Currants with clear inlays of dry tobacco, herbs, aniseed and dust. A general juiciness to the flow and yet it still feels as though it's a wine to be taken seriously. All the angles and characters of this wine are positive. It's a very good release, with an excellent future ahead." - Campbell Mattinson - James Halliday Wine Companion. Published 02 August 2023.